BMW UKL Platform Could Support Even Larger Minis

BMW’sBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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new UKL modular front-wheel drive platform has just been introduced on the third generation MiniMINI (BMW) MINI VisionGermany, 2013 > 2013, and BMW has big plans for it. It will not only underpin future BMWs, but it may be used for even larger Minis than the Countryman.

"I do think there is a size limit. I'm not sure we could sell a 5m Mini. But so long as we remain true to the principles of it being very much an urban car, with a good turning circle, a decent size to park and so on then I think there are areas we can explore,” said Ian Robertson, BMW head of sales and marketing at BMW.

Robertson says that the new Mini Cooper will be the basic car in the new range, and it has not plans for a smaller, cheaper version. It thinks that the new Cooper is the right size and price for the market. Plus, the Cooper is the smallest vehicle that the UKL platform can handle, so a smaller car would require something else.

But Robertson also said that the small car segment is growing at twice the speed of other segments, and BMW plans to offer many variants on the UKL platform with both MiniMINI (BMW)Germany, 2000 > present15 models
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and BMW branding.

Source: Autocar